1.5 Ergonomics / Ergonomie

Unlike all other flashes, the Nissin i40 has no LCD screen but just 2dials:

One for the mode : TTL, manual, RMT (in red , wireless remote) with TTL or manual, Video led

One for the correction settings : power or e.g. TTL correction

For more advanced feature it is a little bit more tricky

To activate/deactivate HSS mode for which you need to press the pilot button for 3 sec

To go to manual zoom you need to press the power button for 3 sec and the color of the led will indicate which zoom level is selected

Having limited number of functions is sometimes a good thing in term of ergonomics : In term of ease of use I would give it an 7/10 for the basic features but a 5/10 for the advanced ones (HSS, Manual Zoom)

2.3 Direct Flash / Flash direct

Direct flash gives quite ugly results inside (like all flashes), but can be useful outside as a fill in flash to recover some shadows, particularly combined with the HSS mode to shoot wide open e.g. at F1.4 t & 1/4000 sec

3 Wireless / Sans Fil

Wireless Flashes combined with some light modifiers like an umbrella to diffuse the light (avoiding a harsh light) is the best way for me to use flashes, it allow to perfectly balance the flash with ambient light and to re create the impression of the natural light

This technique is called strobism. It is a light and portable vs real studio lights that are much more bigger and heavy (e.g. with their external battery to carry) but also much more powerful and versatile

3.1 Wireless Flash / Flash sans fil

The Nissin i40 is only compatible as slave with the Sony Optical wireless mode (max 5m), if you want to use it with other Nissin Flash with Nissin Radio control system (Nissin Air) you will need to use the Nissin Air receiver like for a non Nissin Flash

6 Conclusion

The Nissin i40 (199 euros – official price) is a good , compact on camera flash, targeting basic users that want an easy to use Flash

Pro’s

Intuitive interface

Good build quality,

Compact

Compatible with Sony wireless optical mode as a slave

Con’s

No commander mode

not compatible with Nissin Air system without Nissin Air receiver (65 euros)

Price of the flash : less than sony but still 2 times more than the Godox TT350s (that has built in radio control in commander and slave mode but that is much more complex to use)

I would recommend this flash either as primary flash for an APS-C body if you only do on camera flash or as a second flash , if you already have a Sony one , as the Sony can pilot the Nissin One

I would not recommend it in a multi flashes wireless system as it can not be used as commander and it miss radio control. For its price + Nissin air receiver you can get the Nissin i60 that has radio control built in and that is more powerful